This is an outdoor experiential course (in 3 parts), covering all the basic principles, practices & ritual magic within Wicca – as it has been generally practised in the UK for the past 20 years (based on the form of Wicca founded/ propagated by Gerald Gardner, Doreen Valiente and many other elders of The Craft.

It is suitable for all beginners, but each subject is covered in greater depths, and includes meditations, pathworking, and magical / ritual work – to embed what you are learning!

Getting there: From Wimbledon or Putney, take the bus No 93. Alight at bus stop `Parkside Hospital’. Go into `Windmill Road’ and walk about 10mins to get to the Tea Rooms/cafe and meet us there. Tutor will be waiting by the outside seating area.

This place has free car park / toilet facilities. Car park fills up so get there early to park.

———– Course Contents (please DO NOT copy )—————–

Part 1: Sacred Space & Energy (10th Sept’17)-

You’ll experientially learn about the following :

Chakra system of personal energy centres will be explained, with a practical meditation to experience this;

An energy attuning pathworking will be led by tutor (using 4 element imagery, as well as growing horns & branches, and connecting to the Earth centres using imagery of growing roots.

Consecrations – you’ll first see a demonstration of purifying and blessing, using Salt & Water, incense and Candle / lantern, the tools to use, and the usual wiccan words; Then each student will get a chance to practise the consecrations;

Circle casting: Using your own wand, athame or the tutor’s wand, you will learn the visualisation, energy work and practise casting a magic circle.

Elements & Quarters: The reasons and methods of calling/ invoking the elementals at the quarters inside a magic circle will be explained and demonstrated with words and symbols (invoking pentagrams, and element triangles) to be drawn; You will then practise this;

Transpersonal qualities: There will be further explanations of the qualities invoked with elements, colour and symbolic correspondences. An exercise will also be undertaken by us – for internal elemental exploration and transpersonal balance.

Witches Rune: Often used in Circles for energy raising (creative poetry written by Doreen Valiente – mother of modern Witchcraft). We will allocate some time to exploring the Witche’s Rune, the symbolism inherent in it, and have several practice chants of it.

Book for Wicca course – part 1 (10th Sept’17) £18

Part 2: Working with God & Goddess in Wicca (24th Sep’17):

You’ll experientially learn about the following :

God forms in Wicca: This includes Cernunnos, Hern, Pan, Green Man, Dark Lord (Death), Sun God, Odin, Osiris …amongst others. The symbology of Horns, hooves, antlers are explained, as well as some discussion on the demonising (Pagan god seen as satan/ devil) of the god by non-pagans. We’ll deal with any hidden fears, old conditionings and prejudices, and work transpersonally to reconnect with the Horned God of Wicca and his empowering wildwood energies. Chants will be taught and used.

Goddess form in Wicca: We’ll explore the Triple-Goddess imagery used in Wicca- maiden, mother and crone, as well as the various examples – Dianna the Huntress, Isis , Cailleach, Hecate, Gaia and more…

The God & Goddess cycle in Wicca explained with diagrams and notes- ie the maiden Persephone’s abduction at Autumn, motherhood, rejuvenated Bride arriving back to land at Imbolc; Marriage of God & Goddess at Beltane; the sacrifice of the God at Lammas; coming of Dark Lord at Samhain; Birth of Sun-child at Yule and more.

Invocations, evocations and Charges of God & Goddess : What happens after circle is cast and energy raised in a coven? How are the god & Goddess brought into the Circle? Who carries those energie? What is the Drawing down of the Moon? And Sun? How does working with God & Goddess empower Witches? All will be explained with brief demonstration of postures.

We’ll go through some invocations and learn to use them. (which you can use in your own or group rituals).

Charge of the Goddess – the poetry work created by Doreen Valiente – mother of modern witchcraft will be looked.

Main forms of ritual magic practised in coven-wicca explained and demonstrated.

Use of magical tools – brief explanation of main tools & their uses in a circle will be covered ;

Wheel of the Year – 8 main seasonal festivals (Imbolc to Yule) explained with their themes and main magic.

Coven structures, initiation degree systems; some preparations and quests that seekers of initiation must undergo (no oathbound coven secrets will be divulged! But published materials will be talked about, and any misconceptions/ fears you have will be addressed as long as it does not breach wiccan secrecy oaths.

All about your Witch-Name : What is it? Why? How do you go about choosing one? When is it used? and more.

Book for Wicca course – part 3 (15th Oct’17) £18

What to bring ————————————

For your own comfort, please bring any food/drinks lunch (Please avoid eating during course delivery, unless otherwise stated on the day !);

bring flask of hot drinks.

***Bring comfortable cushion/ mat to sit on, as well as a blanket / throw to wrap up ..during meditative work (or if it’s just cold).

Rain cover: If the weather proves changeable / wet on the day, a tarp cover will be set up.

Bright Blessings
-Mani Navasothy
(Gardnerian Wiccan High Priest)

A copyright note: I’ve been running these (particularly woodland-based) `Wiccan Apprentice’ courses for many years, as 1-day courses, 3-part courses and 5-part courses (since 2006), and as e-witch Apprentice course (9 modules) since 2012. While the subject and contents of Wicca do not exclusively belong to me or anyone, I am an initiated Gardnerian Wiccan High Priest with authority to teach and train others, and this particular way of grouping Wicca topics and delivering them has been my own `innovation’ since 2006, as evidenced by records (flyers, blogs, website publicit & course notes) that I am able to produce! Anyone embarking on teaching Wicca should start from ground up and devise their own form syllabus/ grouping.

A note on charging a fee: While for decades the teaching and running of courses on Wicca has been done by hundreds of established Wiccans/ Elders of the Craft (for a fee), the process of actual Initiating someone (properly prepared) into a Coven has always been done freely and without any fee, by all respectable Coven leaders including myself. The fees we charge are for the preparation of courses, organising an event and giving our time as Teachers.

Witch-eBytes is a new series of videos by Mani Navasothy – initiated Wiccan High Priest in the Gardnerian Tradition in London. In this video, I talk about the implications of the Wicca rede: `An it Harm none.. do as you will’!

As some of you know, I have over 20 years of The Craft & Coven experiences, as well as over a decade of organising and facilitating open rituals, workshops & training courses in Ritual Magic, Wicca & Paganism. In this video series, I’ll be addressing wicca, magic and pagan concepts, ideals, issues – for educational and training purposes.

So you want to get Initiated?

Article (c) Mani Navasothy – Wiccan High Priest

If you are reading this article, then I imagine you belong to one of the following categories:

You are seeking initiation, or are just interested or curious about initiations (non-initiate).

You are against initiations and want materials to argue against (non-initiate).

You have been initiated already (or you have initiated others) and want to know what I may have to say.

All of these supposes that the `initiation’ we are talking about (about to) is one of those formal, human engineered initiations. That is to say – one that is created by one or more Priests/ Priestesses for the purpose of an individual going through them. It can be pat of a solitary working, or as part of joining a Wiccan/Witch coven. (Discussions and thoughts about differences between Wicca & Witchcraft are found in another article, so I will use those terms loosely here).

Let me address the second category first! Whatever I am writing in this article comes from my personal experiences of about 15 years of participating in initiatory Wiccan covens in the UK. I have also initiated a number of people into Wicca. I am qualified to write about my experiences and thoughts, and opinions. And before anyone jumps on the matter of me revealing `secrets’ of initiations, they really should just visit a big bookshop (for real) and browse through the shelf on wicca / occultism – because hundreds of other people have written about it all. Even novices who have never run a coven or initiated others and taken responsibility for guiding others, seem to write about Wicca these days.

If you are one of those who has been initiated recently, then this article may have additional insights for you. You really should book time with your initiator(s) soon to go through your experiences, insights, questions and thoughts on your personal experiences. It is a valuable meeting that will benefit you, and them! Gone are the archaic days where initiators act like walking-gods (or Dictators) and `ride’ their initiates hard. We don’t put up with that sort of behaviour in the modern world. Ancient or modern, initiations and the people involved reflect and must also move with the times. Hierarchy that worked 200 years ago in ancient Greece or even covens in 1950’s just won;t be applicable in the modern era.

Coven leaders used to `give’ the `witch name’ to their initiates at initiations in the early covens of 1950’s, 60’s (or even in recent times). But this is something I personally do not agree on! Leaving aside arguments and logic-chopping about Fatalists and what’s `fated’, my insights on the matter is that- the first conditioning we human beings ever get from the moment of birth (or even before) is our very name! We don’t choose it. Our parents, relatives, guardians, foster-parents, social service officers, adopters and others name us! And we grow up with the energy of that name that has been given. And unless you are one who chose to change your name legally by deed-poll, you are still bound by that conditioning. And choosing your own `witch name’ or identity is possibly the most liberating and empowering act one could ever do! So if an initiator is going to give you a name, then they are not giving you freedom, but more slavery! And in any case, freedom can not be given. It is a right, and when it fails, it must be taken!

Let’s get back to initiations! And the first category of people reading this: You are interested in, or are about to go through a Wiccan initiation.

If you are about to go through one that a coven or individual is preparing for you, then I hope you have had plenty of time to think about and explore your reasons for this.

Why do you want to be initiated?

Are you fully aware of the expectations the coven or that initiator has from you, once you go through it?

Practising Witchcraft and/or Wicca does not require one to be initiated into a coven or wicca by others! Once you embark on that path, or awaken to that path by a series of coincidences and synchronous events, initiatory experiences start happening for you! I guarantee that!! It may be little things or big life-splitting events! There will be challenges, hardship and difficulties, in equal measure to all the harmony, depth, spiritual insights and rewards. (but most humans tend to only notice the `problems’ ). What I am trying to say here is that fate itself (and the Gods and Goddesses) will put you through initiatory experiences! You don’t need a man or a woman in a Priest/ Priestess /leader/ guru role to do that.

And here’s an important thing to be aware of: even of you are going through an initiation that is devised by a coven leader or a High Priest/ High Priestess, they can not engineer the experiences. The initiatory experiences will either being to build up –before- you have your initiation, or it will stat to happen –after- you formal initiation ceremony or ritual. A word of warning – sometimes you might go through weeks or months before these start to happen. It’s like a lit-fuse. You don’t quite know when it will explode and start to manifest. Another word of warning: the `euphoric’ experiences you may get during a coven initiation, while giving you a feeling of spiritual well-being, are not always going to be the only things you will experience. Don’t fall into a false sense of spiritual security. There will be challenges ahead- and every single oath you have taken will come back to test you in the months and years ahead! In fact, you will always be challenged and tested. It’s not a done deal. It’s an ongoing partnership – with the deities!! (You have been warned!)

So why do you want to get initiated? To learn more; to get deeper wisdom; To serve the world; To teach others… Ah, the responses are endless and many. Trust me, I’ve given many of them myself (I went and looked at my old magical diaries of pre-initiation days!). Some of those responses make me shrink with shame and embarrassment. Oh, no one else has seen them, but I know. It’s amazing how I was trying to pull the wool over those Gods of mine! Oh, they knew all along, am sure, like a parent who can see through the lies of a young child.

So I ask again – Why do you want to get initiated? Be utterly honest with your self now. Write it down. And them read what you wrote, and burn it if you have to. But be honest 100% with your self. Then, if you have to, go ahead and create those `other’ reasons which everyone else will accept and applaud you for!

Initiation is attractive and scary at the same time. (mystery of the Craft).

Initiation is (currently) the only way for you to join a coven or a magical group (joining a group). (there are training groups you can join and explore spirituality & magic, without getting initiated, by the way! I know, because I myself have run many of them).

It’s a deep-rooted calling and you just can’t explain it (intuitive).

Serious magic can only be learnt after initiation (or so you believe).

Your friends / partner have been initiated – and they either want you to be initiated, or you don’t want to be left behind.

You are writer / Journalist, looking to learn some things and then write about (this has happened many times!). Warning: Many who start off this way have ended up `really’ being pulled in to the mysteries and become `genuine’. Initiation is a door and anyone who walks through it –be in genuine Seeks or attention seeking Fools – are going to find their lives transformed sooner or later for real! Gods can wait a very long time!!

There’s plenty of other reasons, but I wanted to highlight some, to give you a feel of the cross-section of reason. Whatever your own reasons, know that they are valid for you! (That applies even the journalists, and wannabe get-rich Gurus !)

Expectations of your initiator is something you must be fully aware of – so please have a good long genuine discussion. Coven leaders and initiators are not gods or goddesses (unless you fancy them that way, in which case, you should read my article on `Sexuality in Wicca & Paganism’). You should be able to sit and talk to them freely. By all means, learn from them, and respect them, (and even love them), but for Heaven’s sake, don’t get into the pit-fall of putting them on a pedestal (even if they want that!).

So talk to them – about what they expect from you, once they have initiated you into Wicca and/or their coven. Initiations have many purposes – one of them is joining individuals into the group-mind magically. Initiations are not to be treated as one-night-stands in wicca! It’s a long-term committed relationship – between you and the coven.

Most initiators in Wicca will expect you to attend coven and coven socials regularly, and for long periods. We are talking about at least the 8 festivals, a number of full moon/ new moon rituals (total of between 12- 20 rituals per year), training sessions and/or meetings (once a month – either in coven set-up or as one-to-one with your initiators) and of course coven/group socials – where members meet together at coven-home, or meet-up and go to pagan events, moots, festivals etc.

These things may not be exclusively stated or even expected – but trust me – there is highly likely to be these expectations. Initiators expect the people they initiate to stick around, working magically with them and coven for a good 3-4 years. In that time, they not only teaching and training them, but also investing their magic, hopes and ideals in their initiates. It is all about passing on knowledge and wisdom. That is part of the magical contract. And that is also how the wiccan lineage and magical current continues.

Not many people actually talk about this, possibly for fear of new Seekers becoming afraid of commitment and never joining. But it’s best all around to be clear from the start. No point joining a group, then giving the coven and initiators the run-around with excuses and explanations as to why one could not attend a meeting. Once pr twice is fine, but when ongoing, it shows a deeper lack of commitment. And there is that magical axiom – As within- So without. If life keeps throwing distractions at you and stops you going to coven, then, the question to ask is – is it fate that’s manifesting those distractions, or something deep within you?!

That brings me to another core ideal in magical traditions. Know Thyself! And be mindful of what you are thinking- feeling – doing – sensing – at all times. It’s not easy. It’s hard at first. It may feel like you mind doesn’t stop. And that you are `on-call’ all the time. But this phase will pass, and you’ll learn to be `normal’ about being so mindful. For example, as a Physicist, I am always aware of forces and material limitations of the objects around me. And as a magician, I am aware that I am sensing (esoteric) energy all the time, but learning to either ignore some or tune into to some more actively. It’s a bit like noise in our world. If you are in towns and cities, you hear what we call `background noise’ – it’s a collection of all the sounds that are going on. We learn to ignore them, but can also choose to listen to specific sounds. (Mothers are well-tuned to crying babies. Their own, or even other babies). So returning to the point- Know thyself & Mindfulness are important.

We’re just scratching the surface – but am sure you can begin to see the depth and seriousness of initiations. Initiations are not just rituals you do, it applies to articles and books too. In these preceding sections, I’ve been preparing you for the main matter of initiation. Taking you through all sorts of hoops!! Well done for sticking with the reading. And if you just skim-read this, you really should know. I write non-fiction like fiction. I plant clues, and I write like a mystic, in cryptic clauses too. So you should read this article at least a few times, to gain maximum insights from this.

That said, let’s get back to initiations.

Your approach & relationship with would-be-initiator(s):

Here are some serious considerations and questions you may (and should) be asking your self, once you’ve decided that Wiccan / witch initiation is for you. I’ll also add the insights for each one.

Did you ask for it? This may seem the most ridiculous of all questions. But in Wicca and in any initiatory mystery pagan traditions, a Seeker must take personal responsibility for his or her own path. And if you want to be initiated into a coven, or by someone who is an experienced Witch/priest/ priestess, you have to approach them – and ask for it! Most self-governing and honourable Coven leaders/ Initiators will not approach you and `offer to initiate you’. (If they do – run!). No matter how well you know someone, and no matter how much hints you drop, or how many hints they may drop, the clinching point is – you must gather your wisdom about you, and ask them to initiate you.

Did you get to know your would-be initiator? Don’t just walk up to a would-be initiator or a coven leader, and ask for initiation! Those days probably existed, but not now. You really must spend many months getting to know them – not just as pagan friends, or acquaintance, but as a `would-be initiator-of-you’! You may have known someone for years, and they may even have talked about their coven and such. But the moment you decide that you may like to join their coven as a trainee/ initiate, the relationship shifts magically, and it must shift! A teacher-apprentice connection suddenly forms. You have to get to know that part of them from scratch. (and if you do know them well, don’t try to pull emotional strings to get initiated. Remember that the Gods are watching!)

Is it about you or the initiator? Short answer- the moment a seeker decides to go down the path of formal initiation, it becomes about that Seeker- ie you! The would-be-initiator may give you all sorts of explanations, but ultimately, even though they are the initiator(s), the journey, the need and quest is all about you! And they are then-onwards there, in your life, to aid your learning.

How do you get to know the would-be-initiator(s)? This is the easiest one to answer, yet hardest to achieve. It’s got to be a gradual process, and you have to make the effort, unconditionally! You have to ask for either time with them – formal appointments to go and chat with them, or invite them to socials (group social and/or personal) where you can converse. In addition, you have to `hang-out’ with them, by going with them to some pagan festivals, events, conferences, pub socials, open rituals etc. Don’t end up stalking them by finding out about where they are going and always turning up to the same events. Everyone needs a bit of personal space. Even would-be-initiators. So just go to a few of the events. Once you have expressed a desire to `work magically with them’ they would know you are going to do this, so don’t get too sneaky about it. Be open. You don’t have to turn up every where they go. But you are best advised to turn up at least to the Open rituals, socials and other events that they may actually organise, or publicise, as one they are going to. It’s likely a hint that they are giving you an opening to socialise with them. Be genuine and civil with them (but no bribes of excessive gifts!).

Do they have experience? This may seem obvious, but – do they? These days anyone can `gain knowledge’ by reading a number of books, and set themselves up us some sort of coven leaders or initiators. But a genuine Initiator should have had a certain number of years experience being in a coven to learn and train to be a Wiccan, and ten undergone further training to become a self-contained coven leader (and an Initiator). In the old days (30-40 years ago), in some wiccan lineages, Witches spent a year as Initiates, and then were given their `2nd degree’ – as a High Priest or High Priestess, and thus were `validated’ as Initiators who are qualified to teach, train and initiate other seekers. In my opinion, this is not enough time. It’s like a novice learning to drive. Even after learning and passing a driving test, they the need `real life’ driving experience for a long period – before gaining expertise to be able to drive in motorways, highways and especially teach others. So why and how could someone become so competent in just 1 year to be able to teach or initiate? People generally go through a plethora of psychological and magical processes in their own rights. Sometimes time must pass, for experiences to sink in and become wisdom. As with would-be-initiators. Not only must they have `done time’ as seekers and initiates, but they mist also have spent time learning to teach, train, mentor and ultimately initiate. And here’s a pearl- someone who is very good in managing a team of 20 people in a business is not necessarily going to be good in training a seeker in magic. An expert in looking after pets isn’t necessarily an instant-expert in looking after a young child. The approach and psychology will be different.

The Initiation contract:

Not many talk about this, but once a person indicates they are seeking training and/or initiation from an Initiator (coven leader), and that initiator agrees, a magical contract exists! Dating is possibly a good analogy to explain this. In early stages (when one is footloose, wild and single), one may socialise with many would-be romantic partners, and at a certain stage, may even go-out with more than one person to explore compatibility. But then comes the committed relationship stage- where the person develops a relationship with only one person (unless they were `promiscuous’). In Wicca, when one has asked for training and a coven leader(s) have agreed, it’s a committed relationship. In romantic life, often committed relationships lead to marriage, so in wicca, a training relationship leads to initiation. Of course, relationships can fail, and engagements can break. Same in wicca. Sometimes, after a while, training relationships can break, because the Seeker and would-be initiator may find that they can not work together magically in the long term. There are many reasons why this can happen.

Their personalities do not gel better, and one or neither are willing to work to over come this.

The Seeker looses interest, or can not maintain commitment and exclusivity in working magically with the Coven leaders.

One or both parties move residence – to a location too far for travel and training in the long term.

The boundary between Seeker and trainer is breached, and quite possibly dependency, projections, or worse a sexual relationship may have developed – which in turn makes the training relationship incredibly difficult for both.

So assuming you traverse all these issues well and carefully, you will be on course for your initiation. Of course there are many more stages in between this and actual initiation. We’ve only been covering the psychological and logistical aspects here, so far. There is the whole magical development to consider – the Quests, knowledge, practise, preparations, tools, name, interactivity with would-be-coven members (or other initiates), where it all takes place, and the secrecy itself! Yes, there is the issue of secrecy!

What next? I can’t tell you, not because I am bound by some secrecy (well that too), but because what follows will be unique between you and your would-be-initiator(s).

If you have any questions, feel free to write to me – either as comments below, or as private messages . I’ll answer – as much as I am allowed to answer.. (without breaching the Wiccan secrecy oaths I have taken).

May your path be full of challenges you can conquer, and wisdom you can uncover. And may your deities always watch over you.

Bright Blessings

-Mani Navasothy

Note: This article was written on 9th March 2012. It was then fully developed as a book `Coven Guide: Become an initiated Witch’ (published 13th November 2012; 144 pages; ISBN: 978-0-9560746-4-5 (Awakening Publishing). You can buy the pdf version from me (this blog) directly by visiting the page here . page: Coven Guide: Become an initiated Witch’ e-book

Join me in this one-day Indoor course, `Introduction to Wicca’ at the oldest occult shop in London, The Atlantis Bookshop. This is a rare occasion – as there are no wicca courses running in central London for many years (last one was run by us several years ago).

Who is this course for?

This course is for beginners, students & seekers who are interested in Wicca & Witchcraft! No previous knowledge or experience is necessary. You only need an open mind, patience and willingness to learn what Wicca is all about – as it has been since Gerald Gardner’s time in the 1950s in England to what its evolving now all around the world.. in private initiatory covens & public groups.

• Attendance is only by pre-booking & paying course fee. You may book online here (meetup), on our website (see link at bottom) or in person by visiting Atlantis Bookshop.

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Course Delivery :

This one-day course will use explanations, photos/videos/ power point presentation, pathworking and some practical demonstrations of certain parts of wiccan ritual. Full notes of topics covered will be given so you can just focus on listening & learning (rather than busy making notes).

The Atlantis Bookshop is one of the oldest Occult bookshops (2nd most oldest) in London that is still open. It is owned and run by Gerladin & Bali and has been in their family (except for a brief period in the middle). It has been frequented by many historically significant pagan, magical & occult figures (such as Aleister Crowly!)

• The shop sells magical tools, art & artefacts, as well as thousands of books!

• Our course takes place in the downstairs room (again historical for the many things that have taken place there). There is a small toilet & kitchen area.

• We have been running our indoor Wicca courses at Atlantis Bookshop since 2006 (and few times at Conway Hall).

Dear all, this half a day experiential session is part of our Woodland Wicca workshops. New comers to Wicca and those interested in joining our private wicca Ritual group will benefit from these short but informative introduction workshops – that brings you on to the `same page’ as everyone else.

• Candle Magic – Preparing the candle- anointing/ consecrating; Intention setting; Using one of the Runes learnt (in same workshop), you’ll all do one candle -magic. (stick candles – white – will be provided).

——Other Wicca Training workshops coming soon)—

(*) We will be running a wand-making workshop & pentacle making workshop in this series in Spring/ summer, covering details, symbology, uses etc for each one.

(**) We will be covering Book of Shadows & creating/Writing Rituals, deity/elemental invocations / devocations and carrying those energies within – in Spring/Summer.

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Attendance: Limited to 13 people – Attendance must be finalised by all 2 day prior so that workshop materials can be bought.

*revised* Fee: £9 As I need to know exact number of people attending, for getting cords/ candles/ notes etc, you must book in advance with payment.

We meet by the cafe / tea room at `Wimbledon Tea rooms’ and will go into nearby woodland area for workshop. If it’s wet/ raining, I will put up a Tarp cover, as we have done in previous outdoor workshops.

*revised* Date: Saturday 8th April 2017

*revised* Time: Please be at Tearooms by 11.30am latest..so we can go into the woods and begin at 12pm. Workshop ends at 4pm.

Address: Windmill Rd, Wimbledon, London SW19 5NQ

This place has free car park / toilet facilities. Carpark fills up fats..so get there early and park.

What to wear / bring:

***Please dress really appropriate for weather! *** Good water-proof coats, proper boots/ shoes / trainers..that are not going to get soaked in mud/ rain. Gloves, scarf. hats; possibly a bag/ ruck sack to put all your belonging and set aside (on the ground, when doing ritual).

• Magical tools of wicca – Introduction to — Athame, sword, white handled knife, (*)wands, scourge, staff, (*)pentacle and more; where to place them on altar; which ones to use, when not to use some tools, (**)Book of Shadows..

• Broom – Why the broom is important. Followed by an introduction work on making your own brooms using materials we find around in the woods.

All photos taken at our Rituals & workshops taken place in 2016. All photos (c) London Woodland Witches & Outdoor Pagans – meetup group. Not to be used by anyone without written permission of Mani Navasothy (owner/ facilitator of `London Woodland Witches & outdoor Pagans).

——Other Wicca Training workshops coming soon)—

(*) I will be running a wand-making workshop & pentacle making workshop in this series in Spring/ summer, covering details, symbology, uses etc for each one.

(**) I will be covering Book of Shadows & creating/Writing Rituals, deity/elemental invocations / devocations and carrying those energies within – in Spring/Summer.

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No need to bring anything.. we’ll find all we need in the woods..

What you may wish to bring are any special cords / strings you may wish to use to make the broom, as well as any garden secateurs!

Please bear in mind that ..we’ll do this in an informal, playful way.. using whatever twigs/ branches we can find..(most will be wet and possibly feeble..so it may be hard to find nice sturdy pieces..) . But this is practise.

I will also bring a full set of altar tools.. and go through them properly, and lay out a standard wiccan altar.. You may take notes, photos etc for personal use (don’t put them up on meetup or facebook etc ..as they are my magical tools.. They are for teaching..not for showing on social media).

rsvp now ..and pay in person at the workshop by cash – (please only rsvp if you are 100% serious..and not just on half whims. Magic is all about making an intention and carrying it through!!)

meeting point/ Time/ Travel Details:

*New Date – Sat 12th March 2017

We meet by the cafe / tea room at `Wimbledon Tea rooms’ and will go into nearby woodland area for workshop. If it’s wet/ raining, I will put up a Tarp cover, as we have done in previous outdoor workshops.

Please be at Tearooms by 11.00am latest..so we can go into the woods, setup and start this workshop at 11.30am…and end at 3pm.

Address: Windmill Rd, Wimbledon, London SW19 5NQ

This place has free car park / toilet facilities.

What to wear / bring:

***Please dress really appropriate for weather! *** Good water-proof coats, proper boots/ shoes / trainers..that are not going to get soaked in mud/ rain. Gloves, scarf. hats; possibly a bag/ ruck sack to put all your belonging and set aside (on the ground, when doing ritual).

“Imbolc is said to be the time when the Winter Goddess who has kept her grip on the land loosens her hold, so that the ice melts and waters break and flow again. It is when the Goddess Bride (Brigid) `returns’ to the land. Her path is lit by candles, symbolising the return of light and warmth which is imminent. Bride is a Goddess of poetry, inspiration, healing, knot-magic and weaving. With her, she brings the gifts of 3 flames!” (taken from my site www.WitchcraftandMagic.uk )

*** Fee: £3 **

We now have a formal ritual team. Also many requested us to carry on doing rituals in north london. (But organiser lives in South London!) So to cover various meetup running costs & ritual expenses, we now have a fixed fee of £3 per person.

Practical Details:

Date: Saturday 28th Januar 2017

Time: 2pm meeting at Woodman’s pub (Patio garden) for walking to woods and 3pm ritual start (ritual start time is approx due to organic nature of setting up)

Meeting point:Woodman’s Pub, Archway Road – Meet us in the back garden – patio area of The Woodman’s pub..(corner of Archway Road) ..2 mins from HighGate tube (north london). We’ll leave at 2.30pm .. walk *together* to the woods, set up altar and do ritual.

RITUAL :

This is an open ritual held in an outdoor park/woods with easy public access..

Out ritual *Team will conduct key aspects of the ceremony, with plenty of opportunities for everyone to get involved in the actual ritual – ie with elements calling, chants, magical work and so on.

Outline:

Wiccan Opening Prayer, sweeping & Consecrations

Circle casting & Element quarters called

Farewell to Winter Goddess

Invocation of Virgin Goddess Bride / Bridget

Bride arrives via a path lit by candles ..and blesses all with her 3 gifts of flames

Happy New year! May 2017 bring you all Health, wealth, Strength, Peace, Joy and fulfilment of your heart’s desires 🙂 Here’s the Wicca woodland rituals I am facilitating this January (2017). It is set up in my meetup group..- BB. -Mani

Woodland Wicca Full Moon Rituals – London (c) Mani Navasothy

Woodland Wicca – last `open’ Full Moon Ritual (January 2017)

Note: This is our *final* `Open’ Wicca Full moon Ritual in the woods – before we go `private’ . So if you are interested in joining us for deeper monthly wiccan magical working.. do come and join us for this ..so that you can be invited to the private ones. (If you can not make this one.. then do attend one of the upcoming `open seasonal wicca rituals’.. to get to know us, connect with us..and then you can be invited to the private full moon rituals).

Intro: These are ideal for people interested in Wicca & Witchcraft. They provide an Introduction to Wicca, Witchcraft & Ritual Magic – for all new comers and beginners, and Seekers of The Craft. Consisting of friendly and informal introductions, they then move on to a formal Wiccan Ritual – facilitated by Mani (Wiccan High Priest) & Ritual team.

Basic info:

Date: Friday 13th January 2017

Place: Wimbledon Woods

Time – 7pm – 10pm

Fee: Suggested donation: £3

meeting point: We meet by the Cattle trough/ small monument near Bus stop `S’ (Parkside Avenue) on bus route 93..on the main road (Parkside) .

• If coming from Wimbledon..……. take bus 93 heading to Putney. *After* passing War memorial stop, ring bell.. and get off at next stop ( `Parkside Avenue’ bus stop `S’) and walk a few meters back to the cattle trough.

If coming from Putney….………, take bus 93 heading to Wimbledon. Get off at `Parkside Avenue / bus stop `B’. Cross road and meet us by the old small monument/ cattle trough .

**Please DO bring food & drinks to share ( bread & cheese / humus are a good start) and any soft drink/wine that you like to share with others in circle.

** Our rituals start in twilight, but often end when it’s already nightfall.. So a torchlight is important.

** We sit on the ground! A simple ground sheet is effective (blankets get wet in winter). Or a stool.

– Your wand (if you have one)

– crystals, tarot etc.

– A robe/ cloak to wear (optional)

Training & Personal Magical development:

These are training circles. Introduction & explanations of many aspects of the ritual are given through out, and you’ll be given opportunities to take certain minor or major roles in the ritual.

Major roles will need preparation and learning beforehand, so will be offered to those attending regularly and training with this group.

Primal natural forces:

These ritual circles take place in public Woodlands or parks. As they are outdoors, we are at the mercy of elements (sunshine, storms, snow, fog etc)..

By being outdoors in nature regularly in a ritual setting, you’ll develop a real magical / psychic attunement & healthy respect to nature’s wild energies, as well as an inner confidence, outdoor ritual experience and dare I say.. empowerment and magical competence…

Woodland Wicca – last `open’ Full Moon Ritual (January 2017)

Dear all.. Important note: This is our *final* `Open’ Wicca Full moon Ritual in the woods – before we go `private’ . So if you are interested in joining us for deeper monthly wiccan magical working.. do come and join us for this ..so that you can be invited to the private ones. (If you can not make this one.. then do attend one of …

Am delighted to inform you all about a special Full Moon ritual! As many know, I am very much into astrological explorations, as well as ritual magic. I wrote (possibly the world’s first) book on Eclipse Magic..back in 2012. For years (almost 2 decades) I have practised my `eclipse magic’ on my own.. and this will be the first time I will be facilitating/ sharing that in an actual ceremony.. taking place at the exact time of an eclipse (penumbral lunar eclipse…visible from UK at time of moon-rise..). So here’s the details. -mani

Our Wicca Full moon Rituals are ideal for people interested in Wicca & Witchcraft. They provide an Introduction to Wicca, Witchcraft & Ritual Magic – for all new comers and beginners, and Seekers of The Craft. Consisting of friendly and informal introductions, they then move on to a formal Wiccan Ritual – facilitated by Mani (Wiccan High Priest) & our core ritual group.

We’ll be doing Eclipse Magic as part of this gathering to take advantage of the penumbral Lunar Eclipse taking place at the exact time of our ritual (7.54pm).

**Please DO bring food & drinks to share ( bread & cheese / humus are a good start) and any soft drink/wine that you like to share with others in circle.

** Our rituals start in twilight, but often end when it’s already nightfall.. So a torchlight is important.

** We sit on the ground! A simple ground sheet is effective (blankets get wet in winter). Or a stool.

– Your wand (if you have one)

– crystals, tarot etc.

– A robe/ cloak to wear (optional)

Primal Natural forces:

These ritual circles take place in public Woodlands or parks. As they are outdoors, we are at the mercy of elements (sunshine, storms, snow, fog etc)..

By being outdoors in nature regularly in a ritual setting, you’ll develop a real magical / psychic attunement & healthy respect to nature’s wild energies, as well as an inner confidence, outdoor ritual experience and dare I say.. empowerment and magical competence…

Exact location of meeting point:

We meet by the Cattle trough/ small monument near Bus stop `S’ (Parkside Avenue) on bus route 93..on the main road (Parkside) .

• If coming from Wimbledon……… take bus 93 heading to Putney. *After* passing War memorial stop, ring bell.. and get off at next stop ( `Parkside Avenue’ bus stop `S’) and walk a few meters back to the cattle trough.

• If coming from Putney…………., take bus 93 heading to Wimbledon. Get off at `Parkside Avenue / bus stop `B’. Cross road and meet us by the old small monument/ cattle trough .

Bright Blessings

-Mani Navasothy

(Gardnerian High Priest)

Check out the Eclipse Magic Workbook/ purchase a digital copy here

Link to our meetup event:

Woodland Wicca Full Moon & Lunar Eclipse Magic Ritual (Sept’16)

Change of plan: We’ll be doing Eclipse Magic as part of this gathering to take advantage of the penumbral Lunar Eclipse taking place at the exact time of our ritual (7.54pm). Meeting time/ ceremony will be adjusted/ adapted to suit this. more details soon. -Mani (6/9/16)——————————Our Wicca Full moon Rituals are ideal for…

As a nature-based religion, the best way to explore Wicca is in a natural setting! So I have run these since 2006 in various woods & pars of London. Yes at times it’s cold or it rains… but we prepare (that too is part of being a Nature-Witch!)

Who is this course for?

This course is to introduce Wicca & Witchcraft to beginners & seekers! I often see so many people stumbling or making some mistakes or are nervous at rituals- so here it is – a full introduction. This is for any and all those interested or curious about Wicca & Witchcraft and like a simple, down to earth, friendly introduction…the whole lot in one half a day..!

Times:

• Gather at Tea rooms : 10:30am-11am

• Course start: 11:15am

• Course ends: 5pm.

• Tidy up/ additional chats: 5pm onwards.

Course contents:

• Origins of Modern Wicca (notes given. Brief verbal outline)

• Wiccan Law & principles (notes given. Brief verbal outline)

• Altar setup & Wiccan Ritual tools

• Consecrations, sacred space & magic circle

• Working with Elements & Quarters

• Horned God & Moon Goddess

• Magic & Spellcraft in Wicca

• Wheel of the year – related seasonal myths & rituals explained

• Initiations & Coven life – brief outline

**Fee: £18.

You can also pay cash in person. Please rsvp `yes’ and then pay the fee in person *at the start* of the course. Thanks.

You may join my Meetup event for this and rsvp, or just turn up with preparations (see below), and pay in person at start of the course.

• ***Bring comfortable cushion/ mat to sit on, as well as a blanket / throw to wrap up ..during meditative work (or if it’s just cold).

• Please wear warm coats, socks (those ankle socks are pointless!), scarf.. ***(I say this every time, and 1-2 people still attend with unprepared attire and shiver at our events,. It is uncomfortable to look at and distracts others. So please heed this advise. Thanks. )**

• We’ll have some wine for ceremonial parts of the course & for a bit of social after/

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Next Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse (August 2017)August 21st, 2017

4days to go.

eBook: Eclipse Magic – Stellar Engineer your life!

Stellar Engineer your life – Eclipse Magic Workbook (extensive)
This is world’s first book on working directly and magically with energies of Solar and Lunar Eclipses, written by Mani Navasothy – AstroMage, Hindu-Magician & Wiccan High Priest.

eBook `Coven Guide: Become an Initiated Witch’

This book explains the journey of seeking initiation in Wicca, Etiquette and protocols to follow - before, during and after the Initiation. Written by Mani Navasothy, initiated Wiccan High Priest (London)
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e-Witch Apprentice: Wicca Training at home!

e-Witch Apprentice: Correspondence Training course.
Mani Navasothy - Initiated Wiccan High Priest, with 20 years of Craft & Coven experience has created this e-Witch Course. Click to read more.
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